1. Developing More Curious Minds
Questioning and Inquiry Across the Curriculum
Developing and teaching this class represent a real departure for me in a number of ways. One of those (going paperless) we’ll talk about in just a minute. I’d like to share some other thoughts with you.
I’m not really “teaching” this class. A better description of what’s going to happen here is that I’m reaching outside my comfort zone to facilitate learning in a way not typical for me but that allows me to – no, demands that I - explore some of my own curiosities and expand my learning and thinking.
I am sharing my passionate belief that we owe kids an educational experience that sparks, not kills off, their curiosity, creativity and imagination. For some kids that initial spark is small and must be nurtured, fed, and gently fueled before the flame takes hold. For others the inferno is already raging.
Finally, I hope this group exploration (I purposely didn’t say “class”) offers the chance for others of like mind (that would be all of you) – explorers, risk-takers, innovators - to tap their potential energy and create classroom cultures fostering curiosity, creativity, inquisitiveness, and imagination.
I invite you to come along with me on this journey as partners in learning. Contribute, question, and collaborate to fashion an experience that is meaningful for you, answers your most burning questions, and ignites your passion for more effective teaching and learning.
Mary Schmidt, Gifted Education Consultant
Heartland AEA
or ext

2. Agenda Opening Web 2.0 Tools Assessing Inquisitiveness/Curiosity
Wiki
Diigo
Google docs
Assessing Inquisitiveness/Curiosity
Developing an Assessment Tool
Sharing Work
Reflecting

3. Know KUD Characteristics of a culture of curiosity
Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy
Questioning models
Ways to apply Web 2.0 tools in the classroom

4. Understand KUD Curiosity is an asset to be valued and nourished.
Students’ natural curiosity serves as a basis for enduring learning.
Building a culture of inquisitiveness is essential to student success.

5. Do KUD Identify your own curiosities
Employ Web 2.0 tools in the pursuit of questions and answers
Embed characteristics of a culture of curiosity in your classroom
Remodel lesson/unit to better engage curiosity, risk-taking, and H.O.T.

6. Assessing Inquisitiveness
What is it?
What would we see, hear, and feel in a classroom?
How would we know students are becoming more inquisitive?
Develop a tool
Examine others’ tools

7. Promoting Curiosity
What is this teacher doing to promote curiosity in her classroom?
How do children respond?
How does your tool help assist in assessing the inquisitiveness of these children? (You might focus on one child.)

8. Sharing Your Work Form pairs or trios Share your criteria
Outline your lesson
Discuss remodeling
Large group share of observations/learning

9. Resources Visit the Wiki Visit Diigo group
World of Media
John Barell’s Website
Any other links of interest
Visit Diigo group
Look for any new links since your last visit
Discuss with a partner any ways you have or will use these resources/tools with students

10. Reflecting
Visit Wiki
Complete Reflection